Chess Puzzle #1N0dk — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; queen d7; rook f3; pawns c2/c3/d5. Black: king h7; queen g6; rook d2; pawns b6/c7/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook d2→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen g6→f7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d7→f7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2pQ1p1k/1p2p1qp/3P4/8/2P1KR2/2Pr4/8 b - - 3 42

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